Arsenal kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool as they won 1-0 late on at Wolves following two red cards.
MORE — Arteta reaction to Lewis-Skelly red, Arsenal win
Arsenal missed some big chances in the first half, then teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off just before the break in a controversial moment.
Even though they were down a player, Arsenal continued to dominate in the second half and after Joao Gomes was sent off for Wolves for picking up a second yellow card, Riccardo Calafiori was the hero as his late goal was a deserved winner.
WATCH -– Full match replay
With the win Arsenal remain six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in-hand. Wolves have lost four games in a row and remain outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Gunners show lessons have been learned after another red card
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal celebrated wildly at the final whistle as they secured a huge win after being reduced to 10 players in the first half. Red cards keep on happening to them this season as they lost at Bournemouth and drew against Brighton and Manchester City when previously going down to 10. But this was different. Arsenal just went for it after Myles Lewis-Skelly was harshly sent off. He caught Doherty just a bit too high for Michael Oliver’s liking and it probably fell into the ‘orange card’ category. Still, Arsenal looked like the team who were up a player against Wolves in the second half as they pressed high and only gave up a couple of chances. Kai Havertz missed a few good opportunities throughout the game but Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win and they’re now 13 games unbeaten in the Premier League and aren’t going away in the title race anytime soon. They could have felt sorry for themselves and been distracted like they had been when they went down to 10 players in games earlier in the season. That didn’t happen at Wolves and that shows Arsenal are learning how to cope with big moments, even when there’s a huge feeling of injustice.
Wolves vs Arsenal player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday, February 2. Wolves host Aston Villa on Saturday, February 1.
Wolves vs Arsenal score: 0-1
Calafiori 74′
Wolves vs Arsenal live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Raya denies Ait-Nouri!
A ball over the top finds Ait-Nouri and his effort is saved by Raya.
Calafiori with a fine finish! — Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal take the lead! Calafiori drills home a low shot with a lovely finish. Arsenal go bonkers. They have the lead with just under 15 minutes to go. They deserve it. Wolves can’t complain.
Calafiori blasts Arsenal 1-0 in front of Wolves
Arsenal finally break the deadlock against Wolves as Riccardo Calafiori drills the Gunners ahead at the Molineux.
Joao Gomes sent off
Red card for Joao Gomes! The Wolves midfielder picks up a second yellow card. That tackle was probably worse than Lewis-Skelly’s. It’s now 10 against 10 at Molineux. Really poor challenge.
Raya with a superb save… then Cunha drags just wide!
Matheus Cunha gets on the ball and curls a shot towards the far corner but David Raya saves really well to push it out for a corner. From that corner Cunha’s low shot squirms just wide.
Havertz heads just over!
Kai Havertz heads just over for Arsenal. The German could have scored a hat trick today. He’s sent two headers just off target and forced Sa into a fine stop.
Rice’s shot pushed over by Sa
It’s all Arsenal! You would think Wolves are the team down to 10 players. Declan Rice surges towards the box and his powerful shot is pushed over by Sa.
Calafiori on at half time
Riccardo Calafiori is on at half time for Ethan Nwaneri, with Arsenal going to a 4-4-1 formation.
Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off!
What a huge moment in this game. To stop a counter attack Myles Lewis-Skelly trips Matt Doherty but referee Michael Oliver gives a straight red card. Arsenal can’t believe it. Lewis-Skelly caught Doherty high but that was probably in the orange card category. He caught him high but it was more of a trip.
Lewis-Skelly receives straight red card v. Wolves
Arsenal go down to 10 men following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card incident against Wolves at the Molineux.
Dangerous free kick blocked twice
Arsenal win a free kick right on the edge of the box but Wolves block it brilliantly twice. They are throwing themselves in front of it.
Strand Larsen off injured with Hwang coming on
Norwegian striker Strand Larsen is forced off with injury and Hwang-Hee chan is on. That’s a big blow for Wolves.
Sa denies Havertz!
Really good stop from Jose Sa, as a cross is whipped in and Havertz gets a powerful header on it but Sa saves well down low.
Havertz heads wide from close range
Trossard picks up the ball and his cross to the back post is headed towards goal by Havertz but his effort flies just wide. Great chance for Arsenal. Some of the away fans thought that was in and started celebrating. That’s how close it was.
Sarabia smashes over!
Brilliant chance for Wolves as Semedo whips in a cross and Sarabia volleys over. It was at a tough height for him but he should hit the target.
Martinelli almost gets in
A looping pass puts Wolves under pressure and Havertz forces a problem with the ball allowed to bounce. Martinelli almost gets on it from close range but Wolves clear.
Wolves lineup
Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; Semedo, Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Wolves team news, focus
The issues surrounding Mario Lemina (who Pereira said he would not speak about until the end of the transfer window) and Matheus Cunha is concerning for Wolves. Lemina is clearly on his way out and Cunha seems to be stalling on signing a new contract as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United circle. If Wolves sell Cunha this month then their survival hopes will take a huge hit.
OUT: Toti Gomes (hamstring), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Mario Lemina (transfer situation) | QUESTIONABLE: Boubacar Traore (knee)
Arsenal team news, focus
Saliba being out has been tough for Arsenal to deal with but either Kiwior or Calafiori will start at center back alongside Gabriel. That means Timber will be back at right back and having Nwaneri back fit is another boost as the teenager can provide that extra spark off the bench if Arsenal need it. The midfield trio of Rice, Odegaard and Partey could be rolled out again to try and dominate and press high against a physical Wolves side.
OUT: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring – MORE), Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: William Saliba (hamstring), Myles Lewis-Skelly (knee)
Wolves vs Arsenal prediction
This feels like it will be a lot tighter than it should be and Arsenal have to finish chances early to curtail any hopes Wolves have of causing an upset. Set pieces will be the difference and Arsenal will expose one of Wolves’ main weaknesses. Wolves 1-2 Arsenal.
Wolves vs Arsenal preview
The Gunners coughed up a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa last weekend to draw 2-2 as they’re now six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in-hand, heading into this weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side are struggling to put chances away and the absence of injured William Saliba was a big reason for failing to seal the win against Villa last time out.
Wolves have hit a slump under manager Vitor Pereira as his new manager bounce is well and truly over. Wolves have lost three of their last four games, including a 3-1 defeat at Chelsea on Monday. They’re only out of the relegation zone on goal difference and with the futures of key players like Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha up in the air, there is growing concern among the Wolves faithful once again.
How to watch Wolves vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (January 25)
Venue: Molineux — Wolverhampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
